Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“Thanks.”
Chapter 2
What I Heard
Kelex
Fourteen years ago…
My phone buzzes on my desk as I put the finishing touches on my paper. I pick it up and find a text from Seth. There’s a race tonight.
I toss the phone back down. I’m not in the mood for slumming it at a drag race tonight. My stomach growls, reminding me I got up and went straight to work on this pile of homework.
I’ve been putting my assignments off to do a few modeling gigs and audition for a few films. I’d do anything to avoid the family business. I glance in the mirror at my newly dyed-blond mane.
Yeah, I really would do anything. Cutting off and bleaching away my dark locks has watered down my strong Greek features. Funny part is, I’ve been getting way more work as a blond.
Which is why I’m so behind with my schoolwork. It’s not like I have to work hard for my grades. I barely study or anything. I get A’s for breathing. It’s a perk of being a Kylix.
I’m not complaining in the least. There’s nothing money can’t buy, at least not for my family.
I stand and stretch. I guess it’s time to shower and eat. Cracking my neck, I head into the bathroom.
I make it through my shower and dress. Once dressed in a fresh Polo shirt and blue jeans, I jog downstairs, heading for the kitchen.
Voices inside my father’s study grab my attention. I come to a stop to listen, hoping he’s not meddling in my life again. We bump heads consistently.
“Why am I here, Ulysses?”
“You have a problem. A problem that’s placed you around a valuable player. You scratch my back… I’ll make your problem go away,” my father says smoothly.
“Are you kidding me? Everyone who gets involved with you ends up dead.”
“Your life is over anyway if you don’t find someone to pull a few strings for you. That kid may find the legal loophole you need, but he can’t save your ass from what’s coming.
“Vander has spoken. You’re out. This time for good. You’re going to take the fall for the Castro’s. Not a single one of them will go down, but you…”
The person sighs. “What do you think I can do?”
“Why are my father-in-law and Blake Knight interested in the kid? What does this mean for my son?”
“You know better than I do. I had no idea Blake was interested at all.”
“He is. You have to watch everything that family does closely. You should’ve learned that a long time ago. You wouldn’t be where you are if you did,” my dad bites out.
The guy huffs. “I’m sure. Anyway, the elites are about to shake things up. Things are divided. Have been since I was outed. Too many cooks in the kitchen. As you said, my family has been one of eight erased from the main table.
“That bitch got her wish. I don’t know anything else. There are only five of the thirteen families left, now that Kylix and Nikolaou count as one. I still don’t know how you pulled that off.”
“If you’re lucky, I might reveal that truth.”
“Not sure I want that luck,” the guy murmurs. “Anyway, I think they’re about to make a move, but I don’t know how he fits. The kid is smart. He’s different. He doesn’t answer to anyone and he—”
My phone rings, cutting his words off. I rush to silence it and move from the door before someone comes out and finds me. I’m seething. I don’t want shit to do with this Vander-Bridge Lake bullshit.
Pappoús promised this would be my decision, but my father is hell-bent on forcing me into this life. He’s lost his mind. There’s no way I’m going through with this and becoming his puppet.
“Hello,” I answer the call.
“Ah, you’re back with us commoners. Wish I could run off with movie stars and live the life,” Jeff, my best friend taunts in my ear.
I release a breath and chuckle. “I offered for you to come with me. Fuck you.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know you love me, but I’m not that desperate. I don’t need you flying me out.”
“Whatever, what do you want, asshole?” I snort.
“You getting into that race tonight? It’s a nice pot. Not that you need it,” he says.
My thoughts go back to what I just overheard. I work my jaw. Needing to blow off some steam, I change my mind about tonight. The cash will pay for my next vacation. Cabo is calling my name.
I’ve been messing around with one of the models I started out with. Phoebe Argyros. If she’s lucky, I might take her along.
“Yeah, I’ll be there.”
“What’s up with you? Maybe you should sit this one out.”
“Nothing new. Same bullshit, new day,” I reply.
“Your plate is overrun with the fruits of life. Sounds like some tasty shit to me. Not everyone can have rose-smelling shit, so I say it’s a good day.”